Keyboard locking device



p 1941. H. L. THOLSTRUP KEYBOARD LOCKING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1939 PatentedSept. 2, 1941 KEYBOARD LOCKING nnvron Henry L. Tholstrup, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New ork Application October 5, 1939, Serial No. 298,005

Claims.

The present invention relates to locking systems and more particularly to a locking system for keyboards of typewriters or the like.

The invention embodies novel locking means whereby the keyboard of a typewriter or the like may be locked by a remote control or inversely whereby the keyboard of a typewriter or similar device may be unlocked by remote control.

More specifically the device embodying the invention is provided for the purpose of remotely controlling the locked or unlocked position of mechanism for locking the keyboard of a typewriter or similar devices.

Devices of the prior art have been provided whereby the keyboard of a typewriter was locked by the operation of a local control mechanism. Such devices, however, have been wholly unsuitable for remote control.

One of the objects of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a novel remotely controlled locking and unlocking mechanism for the keyboard of a typewriter.

Another object is to provide a remotely controlled locking and unlocking mechanism which shall be simple to construct and easily and positively operated.

Still another object is to provide a novel remote control for the locking mechanism of a typewriter keyboard whereby upon energization of a solenoid control the locking mechanism is placed in operative condition.

A further object is to provide a novel remote control for the locking mechanism of a typewriter keyboard whereby upon energization of a solenoid control the locking mechanism is placed in inoperative condition.

Still another object is to provide a novel remote control mechanism for a typewriter keyboard lock comprising a solenoid, and means controlled by said solenoid for actuating the locking mechanism. e

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the iollowing description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the essential elements only of one embodiment of the invention with the locking mechanism in the operative position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating th: essential elements only of another embodiment of the invention with the locking mechanism in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the essential elements only of an improvement of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the invention is shown in the present instance as applied to the keyboard of a typewriter but it is to be expressly understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and that the invention is not to be so limited but may be applied to locking means for any record making devices utilizing a keyboard or the like.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. l, a comb I0 is illustrated as indicative of the keyboard of a typewriter. Attached to the comb I0 is an interlocking mechanism comprising the interlock roller guide or race ll provided, in a manner well known, with a series of interlocking rollers l2, one for each key lever plus one, these rollers being of such a diameter and so spaced that only one key lever or the locking lever only, can be pressed down between the rollers at any one time.

Novel means are now provided in addition to the normal keyboard whereby the locking mechanism may be remotely controlled. A locking lever l3 similar to a key lever of the typewriter keyboard is mounted by an opening it therein on the common key lever support rod I5 and is normally biased against the top of a guide slot It in the comb I0 by a coil spring 11 attached at one end Ila thereof to the locking lever l3, and at the other end I'lb thereof to the frame 18.

A coil spring I! having one end l9a thereof threaded through the opening I3a in lever I3, is connected at its other end to a lug [9b on the disc top of plunger 20 of solenoid 2| mounted in the U-shaped base 22. The energization of solenoid 2| is controlled by any suitable means (not shown) which may be operated from a remote point to secure remote control of the locking mechanism.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Upon energization of the solenoid 2|, the plunger 20 is drawn downwardly as illustrated in Fig. 1, applying a force to the coil spring l9 whereby the locking lever I3 is rotated about the rod I5 as a pivot against the force of spring I! and lever I3 is pulled downwardly to the bottom of guide slot l6 and between a pair of the rollers l2 whereby the interlock mechanism is converted to a key-locking mechanism and the normal key levers of the typewriter keyboard will remain lgoggg'd as long as the solenoid 2| remains ener- Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated therein another embodiment of the novel remote control mechanism, including a comb l as in Fig. 1, having attached thereto an interlock mecha: nism comprising the interlock roller guide or race ll provided with a series of interlockin rollers I2.

Novel means are now provided whereby the locking mechanism may be remotely controlled. A locking lever l3a similar to a key lever of the typewriter keyboard is pivotally mounted onthe arm 22 of support bracket 23 by the pivot screw 24. An extension |3b of the lever |3a extends beyond the pivot screw 24 and has attached thereto one end of a spiral spring, l'la which constantly urges the extension |3b clockwise about the pivot screw 24 whereby the opposite end |3c of lever |3a is held against the bottom of the guide slot I6 in the comb l0.

Between the pivot screw 24 and the end |3c of lever l3a, there is connected an L-shaped lever 25 having forks formed at the extremities of the respective legs of the L-shaped lever. One of the forks 26 formed in the leg 25a of lever 25 embraces the sides' of the lever |3a vwhile the other fork 2'| embraces a reduced portion a just below a disc 20b of disc top solenoid plunger 20. Attached to leg b of lever 25' is an inverted cone-shaped pivot 28 carrying .at its lower end a rounded pin-shaped extension 28a mounted in an indentation 23 in the, .top plate 22a ofthe U-shaped base or support 22. v .The operation of the device is as follows:

Upon energization of solenoid 2|, plunger 20 v is drawn downwardly, oscillating the L-shaped lever 25 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 28 thereby elevating the leg'25a thereof which in turn oscillates the locking lever Be in a counterclockwisedirection about the pivot screw 24 against the force of spring Ila to thereby elevate the end |3c of the lock lever to the top of guide slot l6 thereby converting the key-locking mechanism back to a straight interlocking mechanism. It is to be particularly noted that in this embodiment,the interlock mechanism is reconverted to its normal status upon the energizetion of solenoid 2| in contradistinction to the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Upon deenergization of solenoid 2|, coil springlla rotates the lever l3a in a clockwise direction about pivot screw 24 to depress leg 25a of lever 25 thereby oscillating said lever in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 23 to lift the plunger 2|) to its unoperated position as shown I in Fig. 2 so that it is ready for the next cycle.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated therein a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 2. A comb Ill as in Figs. 1 and 2 has attached thereto an interlock mechanism comprising the interlock roller guide or race l| provided with aseries of interlocking rollers l2.

I Novel means are now provided whereby the interlock mechanism may be remotely controlled tolimit it to its ordinary function or to convert it to a key-locking mechanism comprising a wise direction about the pivot screw 24 whereby the opposite end |3c of lever I341 is pressed against the bottom of the guide slot IS in the comb Ill between two adjacent rollers I2.

Between the pivot screw 24 and'the end |3c of lever l3a, there is connected an L-shaped lever different than the L-shaped lever of the embodiment of Fig. 2 and comprising a link 30 connected at one end thereof to lever I3a by the pivot pin 3| and at the other end thereof to a link 32 by a peened-over pin connection 30a. Link 32 is pivotally mounted on a cone-shaped pivot 33 mounted on the top plate 22a of the support 22, the apex of said cone extending into an opening 34 formed in the link 32. The free end of link 32 is shaped to provide a fork 21 embracing a reduced portion 20a just below a disc 20b of disc top solenoid plunger 20, as in the embodiment of Fig. 2.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Upon energization of solenoid 2|, the plunger 20 is drawn downwardly, rotating the link 32 clockwise about its pivot 33, thereby elevating the link 30 to oscillate lever |3a in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 24 against the force of spring Ila. The end |3c of lever |3a is thereby elevated to the top of guide slot IE to thereby reconvert the interlock mechanism to its cations it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a remote control lock mechanism for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including movable means moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, means in addition to said keyboard movable into engagement with said movable means for converting said interlock to a key-lock, and electrical control means responsive to a remotely initiated signal for operating said converting means.

'2. In a remote control lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including movable means, moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, means, in addition to said keyboard, movable to either of two positions and into and out of engagement, respectively, with said movable means and operative at one position thereof for converting said interlock to a key-lock, and means including a solenoid responsive to a remotely initiated signal for controlling the position of said converting means.

3. In a remote control lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said-keyboard including movable means, moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, means in addition to said keyboard movable into engageupon energization of said solenoid.

4. In a remote control lock devise for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including movable means, moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, means in addition to said keyboard movable into en agement with said movable means for converting said interlock to a key-lock, asolenoid responsive to a remotely initiated signal, and means cooperating with said solenoid and said converting means to render said converting means inoperative upon energization of said solenoid.

5. In a lock device for a keyboard, interlock means for said keyboard including movable means, moved up actuation of any key lever to intercept any other key lever, and means converting said interlock means to key-lock means whereby none of the keyboard levers may be depressed comprising a pivoted lever operative into and out of contact with said movable means, and solenoid means for controlling the position of said lever.

6. In a lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including a plurality of movable interlock elements, moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever and means converting said interlock to a key-lock whereby none of the keyboard levers may be depressed comprising means movable into and out of contact with certain of said elements, and solenoid means for controlling the position of said converting means.

'I. In a lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including a plurality of rollers, movable into closer association upon keyboard interlock including movable means.

moved upon actuation of any key lever to intercept any other key lever, a pivoted lever movable to alternate positions and into and out of engagement with said movable means for alternately converting said interlock means to akey-lock and vice versa, means biasing said, lever to one of said positions, a solenoid, and a pivoted crank connecting said lever and said solenoid for moving said lever to another position against the force of said biasing means upon energization of said solenoid.

13. In a device of the character described, a keyboard interlock including movable means, moved upon actuation of any key lever to intercept any other key lever, a pivoted lever movable operation of any one key lever to thereby prevent operation of any other key lever and means in addition to said keyboard for converting said interlock to a key-lock comprising a lever movable into .and out of contact with a certain pair of said rollers, and electrical means for controlling the position of said lever.

8. In a lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including movable means, moved u'pon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, means for converting said interlock to a key-lock to. prevent the operation of said, keyboard including a lever, movable to either of two positions and into and out of engagement, respectively, with said movable means, means biasing said lever to one position, and solenoid means connected to said lever and operative upon energization thereof to move said lever to another position against the force of said biasing means.

' 9. In a lock device for a keyboard, an interlock for said keyboard including movable means, moved upon actuation of any key lever to intercept any other key lever, a pivoted lever, movable into and out of engagement with said movable.- means for converting said interlock to a key-lock to prevent the operation of said keyboard, means biasing said lever to a non-engaging position, and solenoid means connected to said lever for moving the same into an engaging position.

- 10. In a device of the character described, a keyboard interlock including movable means, moved upon actuation of any one key lever to intercept any other key lever, a pivoted lever movable into and out of engagement with said movable. means for converting said interlock to alternate positions and into and out of engagement with said movable means for converting said interlock alternately from an interlock to a key-lock and vice versa, means biasing said lever to one of said positions, a solenoid operated member, a solenoid for operating said member, a bell-crank lever comprising a pair of legs having forked ends at the extremities of the respective legs thereof, and means intermediate the ends of one leg of said lever pivotally mounting said lever for oscillation, one of said forked ends engaging said lever and the other of said forked ends engaging said solenoid member whereby upon energization of said solenoid said bell-crank lever moves said pivoted lever to the other of said positions.

14. In a device of the character described, a

keyboard interlock including movable means,

moved upon actuation of any key lever to intercept 'any other key lever, means movable into and out of engagement with said movable means for alternately converting said interlock to a key-lock and vice versa, and means controlling said second named means comprising resilient means biasing said second named means to one position and a bell-crank having a pair of legs and forked ends at the ends of the respective legs thereof, a solenoid, a supportdor said solenoid, a cone-shaped pivot having one endthereof inserted. in one leg of said bellcrank and the other end thereof in said support, pivotally mounting said bell-crank on said support, and a plunger for said solenoid, one of said forked ends engaging said plunger and the other of said forked ends engaging said second named means whereby upon energiza tion of said solenoid, said bell-crank is oscillated to move said second named means against the opposition of said resilient means. 7

15. In a device of the character described, a

keyboard interlock including movable means,

a keyboard interlock including movable means. to a key-lock and vice versa, means biasing said lever to one of said alternate positions, a bell-crank lever having a pair of connected legs, a solenoid, a support for said solenoid, means pivotally connecting the free end of one of said legs to said lever, fork means connecting the free end of the other of said legs to said solenoid, and cone means mounted on said support, the

apex of said cone entering one of the legs of said bell-crank, said biasing means and said bell-crank lever moving said lever into or out of said engagement in accordance with the elec- 5 trical condition of said solenoid.

HENRY L. THOLSTRUP.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,255,050. September 2,"19l 1.

' HENRY L. THOLSTRUP.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows Page 2, second column, line 75, claim LL, for "clevise?v read --device--; page 5, first column, line 12, claim 5, for the word 'up" read ---upon--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the recordof the case in the .Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this hen day or'november, A. D. 191m v Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Comnissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Petent No. 2,2 ,0 0. September 2,"-19L;1.

HENRY L. THOLSTRUP.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows; Page 2, sec-- 0nd column, line 75, claim 14., for "devise! read --device--' page 5, first column, line 12, claim 5, for the mrd up" read upon--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the -Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this LLth a of'November, A. D. 191 .1;

Henry Van Araclale, (Seal) I Acting Comniesioner of Patents. 

